The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

When Han Li returned to Huangfeng Valley, more than ten years had passed since he last left.

The scenery in the valley remained the same, but the atmosphere was distinctly different. The disciples hurried along, and a tense atmosphere, like an impending storm, filled the air. He stopped a Foundation Establishment disciple to inquire, only to learn that many significant events had occurred in the Tiannan cultivation world over the past ten years.

First, the five demonic sects suffered heavy losses in the Fallen Demon Valley, with five Nascent Soul cultivators perishing and their strength greatly diminished. Led by the Heavenly Demon Sect, they joined forces with the Heavenly Fiend Sect, Ghost Spirit Sect, Blade Transformation Valley, and Blood Slaughter Sect to announce the formation of the "Demonic Alliance," standing against the Righteous Alliance.

Secondly, divisions also emerged within the Righteous Path Alliance. One faction, led by the Hidden Moon Sect and the Pure Void Sect, advocated negotiating with the Demonic Path to avoid a full-scale war; while the other faction, led by the Yellow Maple Valley and the Heavenly Palace Fortress, advocated a hardline stance, believing that the Demonic Path was weak and that now was the perfect time to annihilate it.

"Uncle Han, you're finally back!" a joyful voice called out.

Han Li turned his head and saw a young man in a blue robe walking quickly towards him. It was Zhang Tie, his disciple in Huangfeng Valley. More than ten years had passed, and Zhang Tie had already cultivated from the Qi Refining stage to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, which was quite impressive.

"Zhang Tie, what happened in the valley?" Han Li asked.

"Uncle-Master, you don't know?" Zhang Tie lowered his voice, "Three months ago, the Demonic Alliance launched a surprise attack on a Qingxu Sect outpost on the border, killing three Core Formation elders. The Qingxu Sect was furious and joined forces with the Yanyue Sect and Tianque Fortress to wage war against the Demonic Path. But our Huangfeng Valley and several other sects advocated caution, and now the Righteous Path Alliance is in an uproar."

Han Li frowned slightly. He wasn't particularly interested in the conflict between the righteous and the demonic, but if a real war broke out, the entire Tiannan region would be engulfed in flames, and it would be difficult for a rogue cultivator like him to remain unscathed.

Where is Master Li?

"Our grandmaster is in the main hall, discussing matters with several other elders."

Han Li nodded and walked towards the main hall. As soon as he reached the outside of the hall, he heard a fierce argument coming from inside.

"The demonic path harbors treacherous ambitions. If we back down today, they will only push their luck further tomorrow! We must fight them, and fight them hard!" This was the voice of the Lord of Tianque Fortress.

"Fight? You make it sound so easy! Although the Demonic Alliance has lost five Nascent Soul cultivators, it still has more than ten Nascent Soul cultivators, and even a Deity Transformation Ancestor is in charge. Once the war starts, how many people will my Righteous Alliance die?" This was the voice of the Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect.

"The Nascent Soul Ancestor won't act rashly; that's the rule," said Ancestor Linghu of Huangfeng Valley calmly. "But we must be cautious about starting a war. I suggest we negotiate with the Demonic Path first. If we can't reach an agreement, then it's not too late to fight."

"Talk? How can we talk? The demonic path wants us to cede three states. Is that even possible?"

Han Li listened for a while, then turned and left. This level of conflict was beyond his reach. His priority now was to improve his strength and reach the Nascent Soul stage as soon as possible.

Back in his cave, Han Li set up a protective barrier and retrieved what he had gained from the Fallen Demon Valley. The Heavenly Secret Token, the Blood Shadow Sword, the Nine-Turn Golden Pill, and the pills and cultivation techniques he obtained from the ancient cultivator's cave were all quite a bountiful harvest.

"First, take the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir to break through to the late stage of Core Formation."

He swallowed the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir and began meditating cross-legged. The elixir entered his stomach, transforming into immense medicinal power that challenged the bottleneck of the late-stage Core Formation realm. With over ten years of accumulated experience, coupled with the effects of the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir, the breakthrough was a natural progression.

Three months later, Han Li opened his eyes, his aura now stable at the late Core Formation stage. He felt the surging magical power within him and was satisfied. With his current strength, combined with the Azure Thunder Sword and the Silver Light Shield, he was more than capable of contending with early Nascent Soul cultivators.

"It's time to deal with the Blood Shadow Sword."

He took out the Blood Shadow Sword. Although this ancient demonic treasure was powerful, its malevolent aura was too strong, making it unsuitable for him. However, the sword's material was of excellent quality, and it could be reforged and integrated into the Azure Thunder Sword.

Han Li then took out a copy of the "Heavenly Secrets Manual." He had copied it in the Fallen Demon Valley; the original had been given to Han Mu. The manual contained the Heavenly Secrets Sect's divination techniques. Although incomplete, it was of great benefit to his understanding of formations and alchemy.

"The Heavenly Decree..."

Finally, he took out the Heavenly Secrets Token. This token was not only the control center of the Heavenly Secrets Hall, but also a special spatial magic treasure, containing a small cave that could store living things and even be used for cultivation.

"This treasure is no less valuable than a Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure, yet Senior Han gave it to me so easily..." Han Li thought to himself. He became increasingly curious about Han Mu's identity; this patriarch of the Han family was definitely not as simple as he appeared.

"Forget it, there's no use thinking too much. Let's focus on improving our strength first, and repay them when we have the chance in the future."

Han Li put aside his distracting thoughts and began to cultivate the Heavenly Secret Token in seclusion.

……

At the same time, in the Qingxu Mountains, in the Han family's forbidden area.

Han Mu sat cross-legged on the Enlightenment Cliff, toying with the original Heavenly Secret Token in his hand. The token emitted a soft golden light in his hand, subtly resonating with the spiritual energy of the entire Qingxu Mountain Range.

"System, check the current status."

[Host: Han Mu]

[Cultivation Level: Mid-stage True Nascent Soul / Early-stage Nascent Soul]

[Cultivation Techniques: Sixth level (mid-stage) of the Primordial Longevity Technique, Fourth level of the Heaven-Gathering Divine Technique, and the Nine Revolutions Undying Body (not yet cultivated)]

[Supernatural Abilities: Lesser Five Elements Sword Formation, Primordial Chaos Qi, Heaven-Gathering Technique]

[Avatars: Han Bai (Peak Core Formation), Han Qing (Mid-Core Formation), Han Xuan (Early Nascent Soul)]

[Family: Han Family]

Family members: 5321

Foundation Establishment cultivators: 128

[Core Formation Cultivators: 7 (Han Ling'er and Doctor Mo newly added)]

Nascent Soul cultivator: 1 person

[Special Buildings: Spirit Eye Spring, Heart Refining Tower, Skill Transmission Pavilion, Enlightenment Cliff]

[Family Talents: Bloodline Resonance, Protection of Fortune]

[Contribution Points: 44000]

[Clan Rise Quest Progress: Core Formation Cultivators 7/10, Nascent Soul Cultivators 1/3]

[New Quest Triggered: Find Spatial Nodes]

[Task objective: Locate the spatial node leading to the spirit world]

[Task Rewards: 20000 Contribution Points, 1 Boundary Breaking Talisman]

"Ling'er and Doctor Mo have also formed their cores, not bad." Han Mu nodded in satisfaction. Han Ling'er has an ice spirit root and her cultivation speed is extremely fast. Now that she has formed her core, she can become an important fighting force for the Han family. Doctor Mo is an alchemist. After forming his core, his alchemy skills have greatly improved, and he can refine fourth-grade pills.

"The quest to find the spatial node has also been triggered; it's time to contact Xiang Zhili."

Xiang Zhili, the only Nascent Soul cultivator in Tiannan, has lived in seclusion for a thousand years, his whereabouts unknown. But Han Mu knows that this old monster has been searching for a spatial node leading to the Spirit Realm, hoping to ascend.

He stood up, took a step, and disappeared on the Cliff of Enlightenment.

The next moment, Han Mu appeared deep within the "Ice Plains" at the far north and south. Here, snow covered the land year-round, and the biting winds made it difficult for ordinary cultivators to survive. But in the heart of the Ice Plains lay an inconspicuous ice cave, within which lay a hidden world.

"Fellow Daoist Xiang, Han Mu has come to visit." Han Mu's voice echoed through the ice cave.

A moment later, an aged voice came from inside the cave: "Fellow Daoist Han? I don't recall anyone like you in Tiannan."

"It's normal that fellow cultivators don't know that Han has just advanced to the Nascent Soul stage."

The ice cave's protective barrier was lifted, and Han Mu stepped inside. The cave was warm as spring, filled with abundant spiritual energy. An elderly man in hemp robes sat cross-legged on an ice bed; it was Xiang Zhili.

"As expected, he's a newly promoted Nascent Soul cultivator." Xiang Zhili sized up Han Mu, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes. "Moreover, his foundation is solid; he doesn't seem like someone who just broke through. Fellow Daoist Han has been hiding his abilities quite well."

"Aren't you the same, fellow Daoist?" Han Mu laughed, "I've lived in seclusion for a thousand years, unknown to anyone."

"Sit." Xiang Zhili gestured to the ice bench opposite him. "What business does Fellow Daoist Han have with me?"

"We've come for the spatial nodes," Han Mu said bluntly.

Xiang Zhili's eyes narrowed: "You know about spatial nodes?"

"I know a little," Han Mu said. "Fellow Daoist, you've been searching for spatial nodes for hundreds of years. Have you made any progress?"

"Yes, but not enough," Xiang Zhili said in a deep voice. "I have found three nodes, but they are all extremely unstable. Forcing one into them would be certain death. If Fellow Daoist Han has any clues, please feel free to share them."

"I do know of a relatively stable node," Han Mu said, "but I need a favor from you, fellow Daoist."

"What kind of help?"

"After I ascend to immortality, the Han family will need someone to protect it," Han Mu said. "Please promise to protect the Han family for a hundred years."

Xiang Zhili pondered for a moment: "Alright. But I will not concern myself with this matter after a hundred years."

"It's a deal." Han Mu took out a jade slip. "The node location is in this jade slip. Also, I have a boundary-breaking talisman that can carry three people to sneak into the Spirit Realm. If you need it, I can spare one spot for you."

"A boundary-breaking talisman!" Xiang Zhili's eyes lit up. "What do you want?"

"After you ascend to the Spirit Realm, please take care of my Han family descendants," Han Mu said.

"Alright." Xiang Zhili replied without hesitation, "However, the Boundary-Breaking Talisman is precious, and I cannot take it for free. Here are my cultivation insights from the past thousand years, as well as clues to several secret realms, as an exchange."

He took out an ancient jade slip and handed it to Han Mu.

Han Mu accepted it, scanned it with his divine sense, and nodded in satisfaction. The cultivation insights of a Nascent Soul cultivator were no less valuable than a Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure.

The two talked for a while longer and agreed to meet at the node three years later. Han Mu left the ice cave and returned to the Qingxu Mountains.

"System, exchange for the first level of 'Nine Revolutions Undying Body'."

[To exchange for the first level of the Nine Revolutions Undying Body, 20000 contribution points are required.]

[Redeem or not?]

"exchange."

[Exchange successful, 20000 contribution points consumed]

[Remaining Contribution Points: 24000]

The Nine Revolutions Undying Body technique flooded into Han Mu's mind. This was a body-refining technique with nine revolutions. When cultivated to its peak, it could lead to physical sainthood and withstand heavenly tribulations. With his mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivation, he could attempt to cultivate the first revolution.

"It's time to prepare for ascension."

Han Mu closed his eyes and began cultivating the Nine Revolutions Undying Body.

At this moment, the situation in the Tiannan cultivation world is developing in an uncontrollable direction.